Introducing STEM to Toddlers with a New Breakout Science Board Book Series: Baby University

I love learning about science, but I must admit that certain areas are not my forte. I took physics in high school but dropped the class after a semester. As a homeschooling mom, I am working hard to expose both my kiddos to as much STEM as possible. I am happy to say that my daughter currently says that science is her favorite subject. When recently offered the chance to review a new series of science books for toddlers from Chris Ferrie in exchange for my honest opinion, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to add some new titles to my home library. I received copies of Rocket Science for Babies, General Relativity for Babies, Quantum Physics for Babies, Newtonian Physics for Babies, Optical Physics for Babies, Quantum Entanglement for Babies, and Goodnight Lab.

Author

Believing that it is never too early to introduce children to the wild and wonderful world of physics, author Chris Ferrie is a physicist, mathematician, and father of three budding young scientists. He obtained his doctorate in mathematical physics from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Canada and currently holds a postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Sydney in Sydney, Australia.

Synopses

Rocket Science for Babies

Available in May 2017, Rocket Science for Babies offers an introduction to aerospace engineering (also known as rocket science). The book teaches toddlers the principles of lift and thrust, the forces responsible for flight. The board book currently costs $7.58 on Amazon with a list price of $9.99.

General Relativity for Babies

Available in May 2017, General Relatively for Babies provides an accessible introduction to Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity that teaches toddlers about mass, spacetime, and black holes. The board book currently costs $7.60 on Amazon with a list price of $9.99.

Quantum Physics for Babies

Available in May 2017, Quantum Physics for Babies offers a colorfully simple introduction to the principle that gives quantum physics its name. Toddlers will learn that energy is “quantized” and the weird world of atoms never comes to a standstill. The board book currently costs $6.55 on Amazon with a list price of $9.99.

Newtonian Physics for Babies

Available in May 2017, Newtonian Physics for Babies introduces Newton’s three laws of motion that are still used today to predict the motion of objects at the human scale. Toddlers will learn that Newton’s laws predict simple things like where a thrown ball will land all the way to complicated things like landing a man on the moon. The board book currently costs $7.66 on Amazon with a list price of $9.99.

Optical Physics for Babies

Available in July 2017, Optical Physics for Babies offers a colorfully simple introduction to the principles of linear optics including the difference between reflection and refraction and why both are necessary to create wonderful things like rainbows. The board book currently costs $7.66 through pre-order on Amazon with a list price of $9.99.

Quantum Entanglement for Babies

Available in July 2017, Quantum Entanglement for Babies is a colorful and simple introduction to one of the weirdest features of nature: entanglement. The board book currently costs $7.66 through pre-order on Amazon with a list price of $9.99.

Goodnight Lab

Available in July 2017, Goodnight Lab: A Scientific Parody pokes fun at the clutter and chaos of lab life. Scientists of all ages will appreciate ending each day with this sweet parody of the classic Goodnight Moon. The hardcover book currently costs $16.63 through pre-order on Amazon with a list price of $17.99.

Evaluation

I must admit that I do not fully understand all the scientific or mathematical concepts explained in the Baby University series of STEM board books for toddlers. However, I absolutely love the series, and I plan on adding the additional upcoming titles to my home library once available. The books promise simple explanations of complex ideas, and I agree that the titles deliver. For example, Rocket Science for Babies easily and simply explains ideas such as lift and thrust. I am still trying to wrap my mind around some of the more complex concepts such as the theory of general relatively, but, each time I read the books aloud to my toddler son, the concepts become a little clearer to me.

In addition to the content, I love the simple text in the Baby University series of STEM board books for toddlers. My two-year-old son will sit through the reading of a couple of titles at once. My five-year-old daughter, who proclaims science as her favorite subject, also enjoys reading the books in the series. The illustrations are also simple and illustrate the complex principles well. My son especially enjoys pointing out the balls in many of the book. Finally, Goodnight Lab is a hilarious scientific parody on a classic title. I especially like that the scientist working in the lab is a little girl.

Final Verdict

Even the smallest babies are never too young to learn about big ideas. The set of Baby University board books that teach STEM subjects to toddlers cover topics such as rocket science, general relativity, and quantum physics. The text is simple enough for the youngest readers but still explains the complex ideas well. The illustrations are also simple but help bring the complex concepts to life. I therefore highly recommend the current and upcoming titles the Baby University series of STEM board books to all parents of young children!